Aslan Bzhania Leads De facto Presidential Elections in Abkhazia

Opposition leader Aslan Bzhania is leading the so-called presidential elections in Georgia’s occupied region of Abkhazia. 

Preliminary results show that Bzhania gained 56.85% of votes (52,289 votes).

On March 22, the de facto presidential elections were held in occupied Abkhazia, following a court ruling which announced the previous “presidential elections” held in the occupied region on September 8, 2019, illegitimate and ruled to call for repeat “elections”.

A repeat "election" was preceded by opposition rallies and the storming of government buildings. 

The main opposition candidate Aslan Bzhania failed to run in the previous "elections" due to a health problem. Repeat "elections" have been appointed as a result of the actions of his supporters.

Raul Khajimba, who won "elections" back in September 2019, did not participate in yesterday's "elections." Only three candidates, Aslan Bzhania, Adgur Ardzinba and Leonid Dziapshpa, expressed their desire for the presidency in Abkhazia.

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: De facto Presidential Elections being held in Occupied Abkhazia